Portland has a very active art scene that continues to expand... blah blah.. you know this already.

I also think last weekend was the first time in recent memory that First Friday/Saturday competed on all fronts with First Thursday. Here were just some of the highlights in short attention span theater (aka video).


The second iteration of FWD: Dudes Night Out at Gallery Homeland (here's a review of #1) was yet another sprawling group show... it's forgivable since it was a last minute addition when March's orginal show needed a bit more time. These shows are mixers for the artists more than anything else and allow them to debut new ideas and get critical feeback (from one another). Generally they are good for taking the pulse of things but solo shows are where the big statements are made. I took part in this one despite th fact I have a solo show next month at PNCA and a group show at Puliam Deffenbaugh in May. Every artist in the show (except one) brought new work and 2 weeks notice meant very little was actually designed for the space except the installation pieces.

All in all an enjoyable opening I found surprising and a show worth checking out (a majority of the artists are interesed in physical space and materials as a subject similar to but not as focused as the infamousTHE HOOK UP) show last year. If you want to be in one of these shows someday simply introduce yourself to some of the artists and be good at what you do... it's just that simple.


Nearby Gallery Homeland Pushdot Studio (the place to go for high end digital photo production in Portland)has reopened it's gallery on SE Caruthers with work by Ann Ploeger.


Onetime Portlander Danielle Kelly's show at PCC Cascade's gallery is a tightly curated effort by Jacqueline Ehlis (whose own work is currently touring in the Las Vegas Diaspora show). Kelly Left for Vegas just as Ehlis was returning to Portland. The fact that the show references Michael Heizer and takes it title "Fear is the mind killer" from Frank Herbert's sci fi masterpiece Dune. Ehlis' eye as a curator suddenly adds PCC Cascade to the list of professionally cutated spaces in the city... a nice addition for North Portland.


Mark Woolly needed a bash for his last show at the Wonder Ballroom space, so a large group show on sexuality and identity fit the bill. This video was made before the place got really packed.